Egyptian statue Goddess Isis, Perhaps the most important goddess of
all the Egyptian mythology. Her most important functions were those of
motherhood, marital devotion, healing the sick and working magical spells
and charms. Goddess Isis was believed to be the most powerful magician in
the universe. Egyptian Isis was responsible for protecting of her sun
Horus from Seth during his infancy, for helping her husband Osiris
to return life, and to rule the land of the dead

The Legend of Isis and Osiris

Osiris was a mighty king. He went about the job of civilizing his
people. He taught them agriculture and animal husbandry. He gave them a
code of laws to live by and showed them the proper ways in which to
worship the gods. Egypt became a mighty land under his kind and gentle
rule. His subjects gladly worshiped the ground on which he walked. When
Egypt was civilized, Osiris left to bring his teachings to other lands.
While Osiris was away, he left his wife, Isis, in charge. She ruled
the country in the same fashion. But Osiris had an enemy, his
bitter and jealous brother, Seth.

Seth began scheming against the great king. He aligned himself with
Aso, the queen of Ethiopia, and 72 other conspirators. But nothing could
be done while Isis ruled the country, her authority was
unquestionable.

Upon Osiris' return, an evil plot was put into motion. Seth
secretly acquired the measurements of Osiris and began having a
wonderfully decorated box built to fit those measurements. When the box
was finished, Seth had a great feast to which he invited Osiris and
the 72 conspirators. Having absolutely no evil in him, Osiris
suspected nothing.

When the feasting was done, Seth had the box brought out. He
offered it as a gift to anyone whom the box fit. One at a time they tried
to fit into the box until it was Osiris' turn. He layed in the box
suspecting nothing. The conspirators slammed the lid, nailed it closed,
and poured molten lead in the seam to seal his fate. They threw the great
chest into the Nile river. Osiris was never seen again, walking in
the land of the living.

Isis was not afraid of Seth. She searched all of the Nile for the
box containing her beloved husband. Finally she found it, lodged in a
tamarisk bush that had turned into a mighty tree, for the power of
Osiris still was in him, though he lay dead. She tore open the box and
wept over the lifeless body of Osiris.

She carried the box back to Egypt and placed it in the house of the gods.
She changed herself into a bird and flew about his body, singing a song of
mourning. Then she perched upon him and cast a spell. The spirit of dead
Osiris entered her and she did conceive and bear a son whose
destiny it would be to avenge his father. She called the child Horus,
and hid him on an island far away from the gaze of his uncle Seth.

She then went to Thoth, wise Thoth, who knows all secrets, and
implored his help. She asked him for magic that could bring Osiris back to
life. Thoth, lord of knowledge, who brought himself into being by
speaking his name, searched through his magic. He knew that Osiris' spirit
had departed his body and was lost. To restore Osiris, Thoth had to remake
him so that his spirit would recognize him and rejoin.

Thoth and Isis together created the Ritual of Life, that
which allows us to live forever when we die. But before Thoth could work
the magic, cruel Seth discovered them. He stole the body of Osiris and
tore it into 14 pieces, scattering them throughout Egypt. He was sure that
Osiris would never be reborn.

Yet Isis would not despair. She implored the help of her sister
Nephthys, kind Nephthys, to guide her and help her find the pieces of
Osiris. Long did they search, bringing each piece to Thoth that he might
work magic upon it. When all the pieces were together, Thoth went to
Anubis, lord of the dead. Anubis sewed the pieces back
together, washed the entrails of Osiris, embalmed him wrapped him in
linen, and cast the Ritual of Life. When Osiris' mouth was opened, his
spirit reentered him and he lived again.

Yet nothing that has died, not even a god, may dwell in the land of the
living. Osiris went to Duat, the abode of the dead. Anubis
yielded the throne to him and he became the lord of the dead. There he
stands in judgment over the souls of the dead. He commends the just to the
Blessed Land, but the wicked he condemns to be devoured by Ammit.

When Seth heard that Osiris lived again he was wroth, but his anger
waned, for he knew that Osiris could never return to the land of
the living. Without Osiris, Set believed he would sit on the throne
of the gods for all time. Yet on his island, Horus, the son of
Osiris and Isis, grew to manhood and strength.

Set sent many serpents and demons to kill Horus, but he
defeated them. When he was ready, his mother Isis gave him great magic to
use against Seth, and Thoth gave him a magic knife.

Horus sought out Seth and challenged him for the throne. Seth and
Horus fought for many days, but in the end Horus defeated Seth and
castrated him. But Horus, merciful Horus, would not kill Seth, for
to spill the blood of his uncle would make him no better than he. Seth
maintained his claim to the throne, and Horus lay claim himself as the son
of Osiris. The gods began to fight amongst another, those who supported
Horus and those who supported Set. Banebdjetet leaped into the middle
and demanded that the gods end this struggle peacefully or Maat
would be imbalanced further. He told the gods to seek the council of
Neith. Neith, warlike though wise in council, told them that Horus was
the rightful heir to the throne. Horus cast Seth into the
darkness where he lives to this day.

And so it is that Horus watches over us while we live, and gives
guidance to the Pharaoh while he lives, and his father Osiris
watches over us in the next life. So it is that the gods are at peace. So
it is that Set, wicked Seth, eternally strives for revenge,
battling Horus at every turn.

When Horus wins, Maat is upheld and the world is at peace.

When Seth wins, the world is in turmoil. But we know that dark
times do not last forever, and the bright rays of Horus will shine over us
again.

In the last days, Horus and Seth will fight one last time for the
world. Horus will defeat Seth forever, and Osiris will be able to
return to this world.

On that day, the Day of Awakening, all the tombs shall open and the just
dead shall live again as we do, and all sorrow shall pass away forever.

It is said that this battle of good verses evil still rages, but some day,
Horus will be victorious and on that day, Osiris will return
to rule the world.